PMS: How Much Do We Really Know? Essay

Postpartum depression, which is the most prevalent of all maternal depressive disorders, is said to be the hidden epidemic of the 21st century. (1) Despite its high prevalence rate of 10-15% and increased incidence, postpartum depression often goes undetected, and thus untreated. (2) Nearly 50% of postpartum depression cases are untreated. As a result, these cases are put at a high risk of being exposed to the severe and progressive nature of their depressive disorder. (3) In other words, the health conditions of untreated postpartum depression cases worsen and progress to one of their utmost stages, and they are: postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum panic disorder, postpartum post traumatic stress, and postpartum psychosis.

Post Partum depression causes a new mother to become depressed to a severe extent. PPD causes its patients to fall to an uncomfortable mental state. PPD patients feel discouraged, hostile,

Midwives, obstetricians and gynecologists are often the central medical caregivers for women and as such they are likely to be the first or only medical providers to identify, refer and coordinate a plan of care for women who have mood disorders. Early detection, intervention, treatment in conjunction with individualized care is imperative and greatly reduces the risk of adverse effects for the mother, infant and family. However fifty percent of women with these disorders are never diagnosed because many symptoms of mood disorders overlap with the symptoms of pregnancy and often are overlooked (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2009). If left untreated these women can continue to have symptoms, sometimes for many

Ms. Blum is a 28 year old white female who comes to the pharmacy looking for something to improve her memory and concentration. Sometimes, she is also woken by a severe headache a couple days before her period starts. She does not participate in activities that she used to enjoy, such as spending time with her friends or going tanning. Two weeks later, she has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, for which, her physician prescribed fluoxetine. Three months later, Ms. Blum returns to the pharmacy with an improvement in depression symptoms. She states that her periods have become irregular. She has begun to exercise regularly and tried, unsuccessfully, to quit smoking. Laboratory work for Ms. Blum shows an elevated level of serum prolactin and no masses or pituitary enlargement.

Sadly, scenarios such as this with the hypothetical couple, Charlotte and Chandler, are all too familiar. After reading and reviewing this writing of the hypothetical couple, the likelihood that this baby is to become another statistic is very elevated. The unhealthy behaviors of the parents-to-be increase the risk of birth defect and even death for this baby. This baby is most likely an unplanned pregnancy for this young and unprepared couple. Charlotte and baby are most likely limited on decent healthcare because they reside in rural Mississippi. Since this young couple has been together for such a short period of time, their relationship risks not surviving. They are unsure if they want to marry. Charlotte would most likely fall in the forty

In 2001, Andrea Yates, a Texas mother, was accused of drowning her five children, (aged seven, five, three, two, and six months) in her bathtub. The idea of a mother drowning all of her children puzzled the nation. Her attorney argued that it was Andrea Yates' untreated postpartum depression, which evolved into postpartum psychosis that caused her horrific actions (1) . He also argued that Andrea Yates suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her fourth child, and that she attempted suicide twice for this very disorder ((1)). What is postpartum depression, and how can it cause a mother to harm her very own children, altering her behavior towards her children in a negative way? One in ten women

To participate in this study the individuals had to have a HAM-D score of 26 or higher at the beginning of the study. The results of the trial showed a statistically significant reduction in the HAM-D score. Specifically, a 21-mean reduction in the average HAM-D score in the Brexanolone group in comparison to the 8.8 -mean reduction in the placebo group. This indicates Brexanolone is an effective method in treating post-partum depression.

Everyone experiences some unhappiness in his or her lifetime whether it is a specific situation or not. It becomes more serious when the cause is a form of "depression." It is a fact that women experience depression about twice as much as men (1). These causes specifically for women can be complex and so are the solutions (3). A common syndrome affecting an estimated 3% to 8% of women in their reproductive years is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) (4). PMDD is specifically known as a mood disorder of severe depression, irritability, and tension with symptoms worsening a week or so before a woman's menstrual period and usually settling out afterwards (5). PMDD can be devastating to

The symptoms of PCOS affect a women wellbeing and mental state, putting her at risk for developing anxiety and depression. There is also the effect of social and marital maladjustment and sexual dysfunction. Overall PCOS offers reduction in health related quality of life for women, which makes it an important topic to women’s health (Bazarganipour, Taghavi, Montazeri, Ahmadi, Chaman, & Khosravi,

After the above points, this result should be pretty obvious. Given that menstruation involves blood flow and PMS involves inflammation, it should come as no surprise that grounding the body helps reduce the problems associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Evidence suggest that genetic factors may contribute to as much as one third of the cause of PND (Treloar, Martin, Buchole, 1999). The research carried out by Murphy and Zandi (2006) shows that relatives of women with postnatal depression had severe risks of suffering from the condition. Furthermore, hormone such as oestrogen and progesterone have been reported as a possible cause of PND, however studies have proven negative findings (Zonana and Goman, 2005). The relationship between the hormonal environment of the puerperium and depression has been noted ever since Hippocrates (Hanley, 2009). Conversely, many authors concluded that a sudden reduction in progesterone after childbirth can lead to PND (Glangeaud and Freudenthal et al, 1999).

You’ve seen it a million times: That crazy, cranky, above­all­else hungry female character depicted in movies and TV shows for decades on end. She’s a played­ out the stereotype that unfortunately continues to represent how much of society perceives women during that time of the month, which is apparently so alienating and disturbing to viewers’ delicate sensibilities that it can't even be named. That’s right, she’s about to get her — gasp! — period, and she’s got the raging case of PMS.

Description of Theory- In 1993, Beck published a middle range theory on postpartum depression, entitled Teetering on the Edge. Beck, (1993, p. 44) which describes “walking on a fine line between sanity and insanity”. Beck determined a limited amount of qualitative research available and few instruments for measurement of postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and “maternity blues”. Beck interviewed 12 women for 18 months detailed their experiences, and determined the main perceived problem was a loss of control (Beck, 1993). Beck’s theory is one that is centered in phenomenology and produced a concise and testable theory (Marsh, 2013).

First, I decided to track my sleep and how it affects my mood because I wanted to determine if there was an amount of sleep which helped me have a positive mood. This could be useful, especially during the school year, to help me have a positive outlook amidst a stressful atmosphere. I hypothesized that not getting enough sleep, as well as, sleeping too much will have a negative affect on my mood. However, I also included outside influences because no matter how much sleep I get on a certain day, if something negative happens I will most likely let it affect my mood. While compiling my data for this assignment I also stopped taking oral contraceptives which greatly impacted my menstrual cycle. Because of this, I also decided to track my cycle and determine what hormones would be the highest on what days. Since my cycle was thrown off by almost two weeks, I wanted to see if these hormones also affect my mood. I then hypothesized that the different hormones during menstruation negatively affect my mood.

Some women suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) are believed to be deficient in certain fatty acids that may be responsible in worsening symptoms.1 It is theorized that those fatty acids can be replenished by taking evening primrose oil, which is believed to be rich in those fatty acids.1